McCaskill: More than 10,000 Missourians overcharged by cable providers

A U.S. Senate investigation has found that more than 10,000 Missourians were overcharged last year by cable companies. U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill (D-Missouri) says Time Warner Cable and Charter Communications pocketed in 2015 more than $500,000 in refunds owed to Missourians.

Senator Claire McCaskill (D-Missouri)

“We learned in our investigation that consumers don’t get clear information about what they’re paying for and why, that many times they’re overcharged and those overcharges are never refunded to them,” said McCaskill.

McCaskill says the companies didn’t trace equipment overcharges.

Charter and Time Warner Cable, who recently merged, agreed to refund thousands of customers nationwide who were overbilled.

“We actually had some of these companies change their practices just because of the investigation. That’s a really win-win that you don’t have to even legislate anything to get companies to begin to treat customers with more respect.”

The investigation, which included the five largest cable and satellite TV companies, found that consumers are enticed with low prices that gradually increase.

McCaskill recorded a call between her and her cable company, as she insisted having a fee removed from her bill. Listen to a transcript of the call: mccaskill.senate.gov/pay-TV